Subject: BurmaNet News March 1, 1997 Date: Sat, 01 Mar 1997 04:38:17 -0800 (PST) From: strider@igc.apc.org Reply-To: Conference "reg.burma" To: Recipients of burmanet-l ------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: March 1, 1997 Issue #653 Noted in Passing: The 800 Karen refugees "volunteered to return to a safe area in Burma." - Thai Army Maj Gen Thaweep (see TT: US EMBASSY JOINS) HEADLINES: ========== NATION: MAUNG AYE SHOWS OFF HIS BOOTPRINT DIPLOMACY TV MYANMAR: MAUNG AYE ATTENDS WEAPONS EXCHANGE CEREMONY DASSK: UNION DAY SPEECH FREE BURMA PRESS RELEASE: UNOCAL TRIES TO BLOCK UNION WASHINGTON POST: COMMENT - BURMA: ENFORCE THE LAW KOMPAS ONLINE (INDONESIA): PRESIDENT RECONFIRMS SUPPORT AFP: UN ENVOY MEETS SUU KYI, SHAN OPPOSITION LEADER NLM: RANGOON TO SELL YETAGUN NATURAL GAS TO THAILAND NATION: GAS LINE IMPACT REPORT REJECTED NATION: THAI, BURMESE FORCES CLASH NEAR REFUGEE SITE THAILAND TIMES: OFFICER ALLEGES KNU YOUTHS PLEADED THAILAND TIMES: US EMBASSY JOINS HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS BKK POST: BURMESE INTRUDERS KILL CUSTOMS OFFICIAL BANGKOK POST: THAI-BURMESE PLAN TO OPEN BORDER PASS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- NATION: MAUNG AYE SHOWS OFF HIS BOOTPRINT DIPLOMACY February 28, 1997 by Aung Zaw (slightly abridged) The Burmese army chief did little for the cause of peace during a swing through Karen state last week, AUNG ZAW writes. One small misstep for Gen Maung Aye but a huge leap backward for peace in Karen state, was how one analyst described the Burmese army chief's visit to the war-torn area this week. Maung Aye, also vice-chairman of the Ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) went to Azin and Kyeik Don villages to meet Karen villagers and to inspect seized weapons and surrendered fighters in the wake of an army push into rebel-held areas. The two villages were taken over by the Burmese Army last week at the beginning of its offensive against the Karen National Union (KNU). At Azin, Maung Aye and other officers greeted a handful of Karen villagers, who seemed confused with the rapid change of situation, and then accepted the surrender of KNU Capt Saw Tha Hmu He and his men. The group was watched carefully by the villagers as they passed by. Then Gen Maung Aye did an awful thing. While inspecting the seized weapons he walked on the Karen flag, which had been laid on the ground. Karen who watched it on TV Myanmar were outraged. "Since before independence we have been using this flag. This is not a KNU flag but our Karen National flag. All Karen in Rangoon, Karen state and everywhere respect this flag,"said Saw Tha Main Htun, a Karen. Maung Aye's behaviour was very damaging to national reconciliation, he continued. "What he said and what he did were totally different," Saw Tha Main Htun said. Padoh Mahn Htay, a central committee member of the KNU, a central committee member of the KNU, said Maung Aye's action was an "a slap in the face of all Karen." The damage caused by Maung Aye's travels didn't stop there. On Feb 25, a few days after his visit to the Karen villages Maung Aye went to meet his Thai counterpart, Gen Chetta Thanajaro, in Tachilek on the border . Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, Burma's powerful intelligence chief, along with the country's navy and air force chiefs also attended the meeting. Maung Aye said his government wanted to establish order in Karen state and along the border before Burma joins Asean. He also said his government would welcome back refugees living on Thai soil after screening them. Since the Burmese Army began its offensive against the KNU's 4th brigade in Mergui and Tavoy in the middle of last week an estimated 5,000 refugees have fled to the border area. There were reports that some of the fleeing refugee women were raped by the Burmese soldiers. "These people should be allowed to stay in Thai soil until they can go back to their homes," said Padoe Mahn Htay, the KNU spokesman. Another KNU member charged that the Burmese are also preparing to launch more attacks on refugees inside Thailand. He said the KNU had received reports the army had ordered 1,000 DKBA uniforms for its troops in Moulmein, Mon State. The Democratic Karen Buddhist Association is a Rangoon backed Karen group but Burmese soldiers wearing DKBA uniforms have been witnessed attacking refugee camps on Thai soil. The order for the uniforms suggests that Rangoon is determined to continue terrorising the refugees. The KNU, on the other hand, says that it is still willing to talk with the ruling junta it insists political issues must be discussed before a ceasefire can be struck. But most observers believe there is little chance of the two sides patching up their differences in the near future. Maung Aye's deliberate rudeness at the Karen village has rubbed salt into the wounds. But according to Burmese opposition members who monitored the Burmese army walkie-talkie communications in Thailand, the Rangoon delegation that met the army chief was only a little more diplomatic than they had been with the Karen. The Burmese man who monitored the radio said he felt sick after listening to the Slorc radio messages. "Maung Aye and his men have never learned to live in a civil society," he said. ************************************************************ TV MYANMAR: MAUNG AYE ATTENDS WEAPONS EXCHANGE CEREMONY February 24, 1997 (abridged) General Maung Aye, State Law and Order Restoration Council [SLORC] vice chairman, Defense Services deputy commander in chief, and Army commander in chief, and his entourage arrived at Kya-in Seikkyi in Karen State at 1000 today. Gen. Maung Aye's entourage included: Lieutenant General Tin U, SLORC secretary-2, Bureau of Special Operations chief, and Army chief of staff; Rear Admiral Tin Aye, Navy commander in chief; Lt. Gen. Tin Ngwe, Air Force commander in chief; Lt. Gen. Tin Hla, quarter master general; and senior military officials. At the regional command's conference hall, Major General Ket Sein, commander of the Southeast Military Command and chairman of the Mon State Law and Order Restoration Council, briefed Gen. Maung Aye on mopping-up operations and regional development programs in Karen State. Gen. Maung Aye gave necessary instructions and later met with state- and township-level departmental personnel and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and explained the situation with regard to: the government's national unity efforts; endeavors to establish a modern, developed, peaceful nation in accordance with the three cardinal causes and 12 established political, social, and economic objectives; the situation regarding armed groups from the jungle that have exchanged weapons for peace after realizing their misdeeds; and mopping-up operations in the region. He then warmly greeted those who were present at the meeting. At 1200, Gen. Maung Aye and party left Kya-in Seikkyi by helicopter and arrived in Azin village at 1230. Colonel Ohn Myint, commander of the frontline 44th Light Infantry Division, briefed Gen. Maung Aye at a village conference hall. Col. Ohn Myint explained mopping-up operations carried out in Azin-Mikwi valley, Mathayawhta, Paingkaladon, and Thabyumaing areas by military columns of the frontline 44th Light Infantry Division. Col. Ohn Myint explained that 36 clashes with KNU [Karen National Union] insurgents took place between 11 and 24 February and that 22 bodies of the enemy were recovered during the clashes and three were captured alive. He said 12 insurgents exchanged weapons for peace. It was reported that 259 small and heavy weapons were seized, including: two 81-mm mortars, three 60- mm mortars, one 2.75 rocket launcher, nine M-70 rocket launchers, nine M-79 rocket launchers, one 40-mm rocket launcher, two BA-93 launchers, one one-inch mortar, 182,204 rounds of assorted ammunition, 1,371 assorted mines, and 17,404 assorted shells. It was also disclosed that six military personnel from our side died for their country and eight were wounded. Gen. Maung Aye gave necessary instructions on regional security and development and left Azin village by helicopter and arrived Kyaikdon village at 1430. Gen. Maung Aye was welcomed by Col. Maung Maung Thein, commander of the frontline 22d Light Infantry Division, and officials. He said 14 bodies of the enemy were recovered and 26 persons exchanged weapons for peace. He said 136 small and heavy weapons were seized from the enemy, including: one 82-mm mortar, one 75-mm recoilless rifle, one 2.75 rocket launcher, one 82-mm recoilless rifle, 17,422 rounds of ammunition, 80 assorted mines, and 345 assorted shells. It was learned that there were no deaths on our side, but two officers and four soldiers were wounded. Gen. Maung Aye then proceeded to Kyeikywa from Kyaikdon by helicopter and arrived at 1500. At Kyeikywa, Gen. Maung Aye was welcomed by the tactical commander and military officials; U Saw Thamu He, commander of the KNU's 16th Battalion and leader of the KNU group that exchanged weapons for peace, and his members; local residents, and members of Karen dance troupes. Gen. Maung Aye and members of his entourage presented an offering to U Pyinnya Thukha, abbot of the village monastery, and local monks. It was followed by a ceremony to exchange weapons for peace held inside the compound of the Kyeikywa village monastery. U Saw Thamu He, commander of the 16th Battalion of the KNU 6th Brigade, exchanged weapons for peace by handing over a list of 496 persons: 30 officers, 421 persons of other ranks, 20 from the DO [Defense Organization] 6th Battalion, and 25 from administrative body. Also handed over to Southeast Commander Maj. Gen. Ket Sein were: 227 small and heavy weapons, 3,932 rounds of ammunition, and five assorted mines. The weapons included: one 75-mm recoilless rifle, one 82-mm recoilless rifle, two 82-mm mortars, two 8.75 rocket launchers, four 3.5 launchers, two 60-mm mortars, two BA-100 mortars, one 2-inch mortar, nine RPGs, one 62-mm mortar, one MG-42 submachine gun, two M-16 submachine guns, and two Browning machine guns. He (General Maung Aye) noted that internal strife has continued in Karen State for nearly 50 years and the government has patiently held negotiations four times with the KNU and an opportunity to gain peace emerged after three rounds of negotiations. He said the KNU, however, unilaterally suspended the negotiations due to the internal destructive elements and instigations of foreign nations that want to see the disintegration of the country. The KNU unilaterally ended the negotiations, took one-sided actions, and issued announcements aimed at undermining national solidarity. Gen. Maung Aye said although the KNU has turned its back on peace negotiations, the government always welcomes the KNU. He explained that the Defense Services and all the people warmly welcome U Saw Thamu He and members because of their efforts for peace. He also spoke on the implementation of regional development with the speedy cooperation of ministries concerned. U Saw Tha Mu He then delivered a speech in response. [Begin U Saw Thamu He recording] Esteemed deputy commander in chief of the Defense Services, senior military officers, and distinguished guests: I am Lieutenant Colonel Saw Thamu He, commander of the 16th Battalion of the KNU 6th Brigade. First, I would like to express my thanks for having this opportunity to speak. We have come to join the Defense Services in its endeavors to establish a peaceful, modern, developed Myanmar [Burma]. We would like to express our thanks to national leaders who have come to this ceremony to exchange weapons for peace and for warmly welcoming myself, our members, and the villagers. We fought for many years and never achieved success, and it did not serve the country in any way. Only the Karen people and members lost their lives. This is why we have made a decision to join the Defense Services government and to contribute to regional development in order to prevent the suffering of the people and to achieve peace and participate in regional development. We pledge to support the three main national causes-- the nondisintegration of the Union, the nondisintegration of national solidarity, and the perpetuation of national sovereignty. We express our thanks to the Defense Services government for extending assistance in cash and kind for regional development. We fully trust that the government will continue to extend assistance for our regional and rural development. I conclude here by pledging to work jointly with the Defense Services to the best of my physical and mental ability in the interests of the rural people and the nation. [end recording] Gen. Maung Aye and Lt. Gen. Tin U presented cash and gifts to U Saw Thamu He and members and cordially greeted them. They then posed together for photographs. Gen. Maung Aye and his party left Kyeikywa by helicopter at 1600 and arrived back in Yangon [Rangoon] by a special aircraft via Moulmein in the evening. ******************************************************** DASSK: UNION DAY SPEECH February 12, 1997 From: saeliw@ksc8.th.com ********************************************************************* Unofficial translation of speech by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi delivered at the ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Union Day held at her residence in Rangoon on February 12. 1997 - NCGUB Information Office (USA). ********************************************************************* Speech By General Secretary Of The National League For Democracy At The 50th Anniversary Of The Union Day on February 12, 1997. Efforts were made to undermine our Union Day and impair our work _ the work of a political organization that the people have mandated through fair and free elections to lead the nation into the future. In spite of the difficulties that had arisen as a result of these efforts, people have come here to join the celebrations and others had expressed their support for me from afar. I'd like to express my respect and my thanks to all these people. Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Panglong Agreement. When our great national and ethnic leaders signed the Panlong Agreement, they did not intend it to be an agreement on paper only. They made a pledge from their hearts to show that all the nationalities in Burma believe in unity. As of today, the Union of Burma has been a sovereign nation for about half a century. But it is very difficult to call in a true sense because we have not been able to achieve genuine unity among the nationalities. What is needed to achieve genuine national unity is a system under which all our nationalities can freely and fearlessly express their hopes, objectives, concerns, grievances and dislikes. Only when such a system is in place can we get rid of the misunderstanding and distrust that exist among us. I promise that our National League for Democracy will strive with sincerity to rebuild complete trust among all the nationalities. I take this opportunity on the occasion of his 50th anniversary of the Union Day to call on our ethnic nationalities to join us in our efforts. Fifteen ethnic organizations and other ethnic representatives held an Ethnic Nationalities Seminar at Mae Tha Raw Hta from February 7 to 14 and issued a statement. The statement in part reads: ... since the time of independence in 1948, successive regimes in power have violated the right to equality of all citizens, irrespective of race as provided for in Panglong agreement. Armed subjugation by successive regimes practicing rectal chauvinism for the last 49 years has been a disastrous experience of suffering unprecedented in history for the ethnic nationalities. It is indeed distressing to note that our ethnic people have lost faith in the Union because of their bitter experiences. These wrongs of our past must be corrected by all of us. By all, I mean, us, the majority Burmans, as well as the ethnic nationalities. We must know the aspirations of our nationalities. What are their aspirations? According to the Mae Tha Raw Hta Agreement they are: a) to dismantle the military dictatorship and establish peace in the country. b) to precise the democratic political system, c) to achieve the rights of equality and self-determination for each and every nationality, d) to establish a federal union A paper regarding democracy and equal rights for nationalities was also issued and according to that document, what is vitally needed for our country are: 1) Democracy and political equality for all nationalities 2) Unity among all the nationalities 3) The emergence of a genuine Union 4) The building of a modern and progressive nation in which all component states will enjoy proportionate development 5) the end to all forms of dictatorship 6) Prevalence of peace in the country >From the documents above we know that bringing and end to dictatorship, consolidating peace in the country, and ensuring democracy and equality for all nationalities are the foundations that we cannot do without if we are to build a strong and lasting Union. We must work together to realize these goals and there is no doubt that our ethnic brothers and sisters know it too. That fact is made evident in the concluding part of the document dealing with democracy and equal rights for nationalities. ... efforts should be made through discussions to build unity among people with political background above with political organizations that have legal standing and with those organizations that have concluded ceased-fire agreements. should we fail to do this, all the parities concerned will gradually disintegrate in a sea of hardships and finally get destroyed. Therefore, we must all unite ourselves wherever possible and strive to free ourselves from the general hardships. The Mae Tha Raw Hta Agreement in part also said: .. we agree also to join hands with the pro-democracy forces led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and act unitedly and simultaneously for the achievement of rights of the nationalities as well as democratic rights. In sum, it is evident that in order to establish a genuine Union on the basis of equality for all nationalities, forces who are endeavoring to restore democracy and human rights and the ethnic organizations must be firmly united and work closely with each other. In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Union Day, I invite all the ethnic leaders, the people with political background above ground, the party organizations with legal standing and the organizations that have entered into cease-fire agreements to work with our National League for Democracy for the emergence of a preliminary conference to prepare for a future convention that will genuinely represent the people and is geared to revive the spirit of the Panglong Agreement. Long Live the Panglong Agreement. Long Live the Panglong Spirit. May a Genuine Democratic Union Emerge Soon. Our Cause will Prevail. ****************************************************** FREE BURMA PRESS RELEASE: UNOCAL TRIES TO BLOCK UNION REQUEST FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF LINK TO BURMESE HEROIN TRADE February 27, 1997 From: pwellner@igc.org (Pamela Wellner) FREE BURMA: NO PETRO-DOLLARS FOR SLORC FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 27, 1997 CONTACT: Rod Rogers (OCAW): (303) 987-2229 or Pamela Wellner: (415) 695-1956 What is Unocal's Dirty Secret? SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27 -- The Free Burma: No Petro-dollars for SLORC campaign today condemned Unocal's attempts to exclude a shareholder resolution submitted by a retired member of the Oil Chemical Atomic Workers International Union (OCAW). The resolution asks Unocal's external board members to investigate an allegation of heroin money laundering by Unocal's Burmese partner, in a natural gas pipeline project in Burma (Myanmar). The partner, the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), an agency of Burma's military regime, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), was accused of drug money laundering in the Dec. 16, 1996 issue of The Nation. The article reported on findings from an investigation by the Paris-based Geopolitical Drugwatch that MOGE is a major channel for laundering the revenues of heroin produced by the SLORC army. Unocal, in a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to legally exclude the resolution from its proxy statement, claims that conducting the investigation would be illegal under Section 3.(1) of the Myanmar Official Secrets Act . This law "makes it illegal for any person, for purposes prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State to obtain, publish or communicate to any other person information which might be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy." Unocal's stance drew a strong response from the OCAW, the labor union which assisted one of its retired members in crafting the resolution. "One would think if your business partner was accused of being a conduit for drug money in a country which is the world's largest heroin producer and provides 60% of the heroin in the US, you would want to look into it," said Joe Drexler, OCAW Special Projects Director, whose union represents some 40,000 oil workers in the US. "Unocal should get it straight--Burma's junta is the enemy, not their workers, shareholders, or the communities across the US who are affected by a rise in heroin use," he added. According to Robert S. Gelbard, US asst. Secretary of State for International Narcotics, "Drug traffickers and their families are among the leading backers of high-profile infrastructure projects in Burma. They launder their money with impunity in banks controlled by the military." A 1996 US Embassy, Rangoon report, says "The lack of vigorous enforcement effort against money laundering leaves Burma vulnerable to the growing influence of traffickers who will use drug proceeds in legitimate business ventures." "Unocal's letter implies that it's a crime under SLORC's Draconian laws to conduct an internal investigation of any company knowledge of MOGE's drug money laundering. Is this the dirty secret they don't want uncovered?" said Pamela Wellner of the Free Burma campaign. "The resolution calls for an investigation of an allegation. If it's unfounded, Unocal has had ample opportunity to provide evidence. But they have done nothing, which only gives the allegation more credibility," said Larry Dohrs of the Seattle Campaign for a Free Burma. Unocal is the target of widespread criticism due to its investment in the controversial Burma pipeline which is linked to forced labor and other human right abuses. The OCAW and the AFL-CIO have joined university students and others in pressuring Unocal to end its Burma project. The New York Times has called "Unocal the shameful exception," in reference to other companies such as PepsiCo, who have withdrawn their Burma operations. Last week the Executive Council of the 12.9 million member AFL-CIO passed a resolution calling on the Clinton Administration to invoke economic sanctions on the SLORC regime. *************************************************** WASHINGTON POST: COMMENT - BURMA: ENFORCE THE LAW February 28, 1997 UNOCAL, THE U.S. energy company cooperating with Burma's totalitarian regime to develop natural gas in that Asian country, likes to show photographs of the classrooms and clinics it is building for villagers along the route of its unfinished gas pipeline through the jungle. Unocal's presence, the argument goes, can act as a civilizing influence on Burma's regime -- better known for repression, torture and forced labor -- and so the U.S. administration shouldn't impose economic sanctions restricting U.S. investment. Another, less appealing consequence of economic development is unfolding now on the Burma-Thai border. The pipeline of the $1.2 billion project, in which France's Total is the other major participant, will carry natural gas from Burma's Andaman Sea to Thailand. Burma's junta will get badly needed foreign currency; Thailand's growing economy will get badly needed energy. But Burma's regime fears that ethnic Karen, a Christian anti-Communist minority that has been fighting for greater autonomy for five decades, could stand in the way. So about 100,000 Burmese troops are now bludgeoning their way to the frontier in a mopping-up campaign. Thousands of refugees are streaming across the border. Thailand, which for years has sheltered Karen refugees, now is forcing them back across the border toward Burma's guns. The lure of Unocal's gas apparently is very strong. What does any of this have to do with the United States? Burma is a naturally wealthy country of 45 million people (of whom about 4 million are Karen) that has been steadily impoverished by its corrupt and incompetent rulers. In 1990 an overwhelming majority of Burmese voted for a pro-democracy party headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of Burma's anticolonial independence hero. She is supported, too, by the Karen and other ethnic minorities, for whom she promises a democratic federative system. But the military thugs who rule the country never allowed her to take power, and she remains under virtual house arrest. Hundreds of her supporters have been jailed -- more last year than at any time since the current regime seized power in 1988. Promising to stand with Burma's democrats, Congress last year passed a law requiring the president to ban further U.S. investment if the regime moved against Aung San Suu Kyi or intensified its repression. Both in Burma's capital and on the Thai border, the latter condition certainly has been met. If the administration dithers any longer, it will only encourage the regime to think it can realize the former condition, too, at no cost to itself. *********************************************************** KOMPAS ONLINE (INDONESIA): PRESIDENT RECONFIRMS SUPPORT FOR MYANMAR (abridged) Sunday, 23 February 1997 At the end of his visit to Myanmar, President Soeharto reconfirmed Indonesia's support for Myanmar to become a full ASEAN member. Indonesia does not see any obstacle anymore for the membership of either Myanmar, Cambodia or Laos into ASEAN. Therefore Indonesia expects that the three countries can soonest be accepted. The clarification of the Head of State was conveyed in his talk with the Chairman of the Board for State's Restoration of Law and Order (SLORC) of the Myanmar Union, General Than Shwe at the Pyithu Hluttaw Parliament Building, Yangoon, Myanmar, Saturday (22/2). At that moment both leaders were accompanied by ministers and other high officials of both countries. Nevertheless, the State Minister did not clarify a certain time for the acceptance of Myanmar. RI-Myanmar has signed a MoU between PT Citra Lamtorgung with the Union of Myanmar Economic Holding, one of Myanmar's state enterprises, respectively represented by Mrs Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana and Major General Than Oo. The signing which was witnessed by President Soeharto and the SLORC Chairman General Than Shwe was for the investment of a flour mill development. Besides that was also signed a MoU between PT Tri Putra, the affiliated company of IPTN with Myanmar Airways for domestic flights with planes supplied by IPTN. Besides that, PT Astra, PT Sampoerna which made a joint venture with Myanmar Tobacco, then Astra Petro Nusa which made an operation contract at oil fields in the hinterland. Also Astra's automative division, and BDNI had opened representatives at the beginning of 1996, and Prima Komeksindo and PT Semen Cibinong. While Pertamina and Gadjah Tunggal are at the moment in the negotiation stage. Myanmar's internal affairs. Answering questions about Aung San Syu Kyi, State Minister Moerdiono said that the SLORC Chairman General Than Shwe already had explained the problem to President Soeharto. "I feel that Mr President understands what was explained by the Board's Chairman," said Moerdiono. It was said that all this time the Myanmar government had tried to make approaches with Aung San Syu Kyi. "But the result is what we witness until now. Of course Mr President is as usual, as is the base of our foreign policy, not to interfere in the internal affairs of another country, we fully believe that the government and people in concern can solve the problems which they face," said the State Minister. Alatas clarified, President Soeharto totally did not brought forward the problem of Aung San Syu Kyi or the internal condition of Myanmar in a direct way. This was only done to uphold the ASEAN spirit which will respect the sovereignty of another state and not interfere in the internal affairs of a state. "Because our position is, that we consider this a matter which we normally do. So what we do is to convey the results of the debates and talks in Singapore. Factually I have conveyed it with all positions, views and expectations which was brought forward by the western countries. And the ASEAN answers on said positions, views and expectations," he clarified. In unison with the State Minister, Alatas stressed that in order to overcome said situation, the SLORC had repeatedly approached Aung San Syu Kyi for a dialogue, but had until now not succeeded yet. Answering the possibility that Indonesia would become the mediator for both parties, Alatas said that it was possible if there was a request from outside. Alatas clarified that Indonesia's attitude in supporting Myanmar to become an ASEAN member had no relation with Aung San Syu Kyi's letter which was sent to almost all ASEAN leaders, requesting the postponement of Myanmar's acceptance. "Because our attitude was since long before that letter, since the beginning our attitude was like this," said Alatas. "As I explained, Indonesia and Asia will not and will never relate internal problems as a pre-condition or criteria to the entering of said country as a new member of ASEAN. We will also not and never touch something which we consider as a political or econmomic system of a country, because we consider it a basic principle, namely to respect a principle and economy of a country. We will never try to enter it or propose to change it," Alatas ascertained. (*) *********************************************************** AFP: UN ENVOY MEETS SUU KYI, SHAN OPPOSITION LEADER February 27, 1997 VISITING ENVOY: A United Nations envoy visiting Myanmar last week met pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi and Shan opposition leader Hkun Htun Oo as well as Myanmar government officials. Mr Francesc Vendrell, director of the East Asia desk in the UN's political affairs department, who left Myanmar at the weekend, was quoted as saying on Monday that his discussion with Myanmar officials was "a fresh and honest exchange of views on the current situation, and it was valuable". -- AFP. ************************************************** NLM: RANGOON TO SELL YETAGUN NATURAL GAS TO THAILAND February 23, 1997 Yangon, 23 Feb - Minister for Energy U Khin Maung Thein and Ministers at the Prime Minister's Office U Than Shwe and Brig-Gen Lun Maung inspected Yadana Natural Gas Project of Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise in Kanbauk area, Yebyu Township, Dawei District, this morning. The ministers were accompanied by officials of the Ministry of Energy and General Manager Mr H Madeo of Total Myanmar Exploration and Production of France. In the camp meeting hall, Mr Madeo explained inland and offshore laying of pipelines and progress of the project. MOGE Managing Director U Kyaw Nyein reported to the ministers on offshore oil and gas exploration. At the Yetagun Natural Gas Project base camp opening ceremony in Kanbauk Village, Minister U Khin Maung Thein said the project, like Yadana Project, was aimed at selling the successfully explored and tested gas to Thailand through direct pipelines. He called on the local residents to cooperate in implementation of the project as it would also contribute to regional development and long-term national interests. Managing Director Mr R Morris of Texaco Exploration Myanmar Inc expressed thanks. Minister U Khin Maung Thein presented him gifts. Ministers U Khin Maung Thein and Brig-Gen Lun Maung and Mr R Morris formally launched the base camp. Minister U Khin Maung Thein unveiled the inauguration plaque. Gas from the Yedagun Natural Gas Project will be sold to Thailand at 200 million cubic-feet per day beginning 1999. A 20-inch-diametre pipe will be laid for 40 miles inland and 130 miles offshore. The ministers also went onboard pipe-laying barge Castoro-5 of Saipem of Italy, a sub-contractor company. Saipem's Vice-Chairman Mr M Ferrasis and Engineer Mr A F Woolgar explained underwater pipe-laying. The minister presented gifts to the employees. The ministers also viewed the cranes moving of concrete-covered pipes onto the barge, the process of joining of the pipes and laying the joined pipes into the sea. They also viewed the computer room which controlled the pipeline and the bridge of the ship. The ministers helicoptered from Thailand-Myanmar border to Nat Eindaung natural gas metering station and had an aerial view of the pontoon bridge at Heinze Creek in Kanbauk area, the pipeline laid inland for Yadana Project and the motor road along the pipeline. ******************************************* NATION: GAS LINE IMPACT REPORT REJECTED February 27, 1997 (abridged) Concrete plan sought from PTT PENNAPA HONGTHONG THE environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Petroleum Authority of Thailand's Yadana gas pipeline was again rejected yesterday, further delaying construction of the controversial project. It was the second time that approval of the EIA has refused by an Office of Environmental Policy and Planning committee, which cited inadequate information about key wildlife species found along the pipeline's proposed route as its reason for rejecting the document. "The information about the wildlife to be affected by the project and the action plan to reduce the impact are still unclear," a source on the committee said. "The Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) must improve on it again." According to the source, who asked not to be named, the committee ordered the PTT to write a more concrete action plan to reduce the project's impact on forests and wildlife, describing the current measures submitted by the state enterprise as too vague. In addition, the PTT must conduct more studies into key wildlife species in the forest, including the elephant and the great hornbill, the source said. The decision evidently surprised the PTT, as prior to the committee meeting, project director Somphongse Tantisuvanichkul expressed confidence that the EIA would be approved. The PTT refused to comment following the committee's decision. According to Sawad, the additional information should be completed and submitted to the committee within a week. Meanwhile, the committee did not raise any objections over the issue of earthquakes, which caused the most controversy at a technical hearing on the project held two weeks ago in Kanchanaburi. ***************************************************** NATION: THAI, BURMESE FORCES CLASH NEAR REFUGEE SITE February 28, 1997 Yindee Lertcharoenchok KANCHANABURI - Thai paratroopers and Burmese forces clashed briefly yesterday morning nearer the Thai border village of Pu Nam Rawn where over 2,300 Karen refugees are taking refuge from a Burmese military offensive against Karen rebels. Although there were no casualties on either side, the clash shook the refugees, mainly children, women and the elderly, who complained that they were now living under the threat of attack from Burmese troops. Despite strong assurances form Maj Gen Thaweep Suwannasingh, commander of the site is safe and well protected by Thai troops, the shaken refugees said their open shelter was just three kilometres away from a former Karen rebel outpost known as Gate No 1. The outpost, which was a former taxation gate of the Karen National Union (KNU), was captured by the Burmese army on Wednesday, the same day the rebel group burned down and abandoned their 4th Brigade headquarters at Htee Kee before the advance by Burmese troops. The fall of Htee Kee to the Burmese army appears to mark the end of the KNU's control over the resource rich 4th Brigade area, which covers the southern Burmese districts of Mergui and Tavoy. It also marks the first time the Burmese government in Rangoon has managed to assert full control over the entire 2,500 km frontier with Thailand. Although the Burmese troops fired four mortar shells during the ground clashes yesterday, local Thai forces were not permitted by the 9th Division to retaliate with mortars as there was concern that the situation could deteriorate further. Shortly after an exchange of machine gun fire, Thai forces captured a 17 year old Burmese soldier who was part of a petrol group near the refugee camp. Karen refugees and camp leaders complained that the clashes confirmed their fears that their shelter site was "absolutely unsafe" from possible Burmese attack or harassment. Throughout yesterday, camp leaders, and relief workers who were allowed into Pu Nam Rawn for the first time, repeatedly asked the 9th Division officers and local authorities to urgently relocate the refugees to a safer area. Camp chairman Thra Charles said the refugees including many disabled and over 1,500 children under the age of 10, were afraid to spend the night so close to the Burmese forces. "The refugees are all holding on to their bags and belongings, ready to flee at any sign of danger. At night, children cry and mothers cannot sleep for fear of possible Burmese attacks, " he said. He added that the refugees were now in a serious dilemma as they could not return to Burma and are under threat of forced repatriation by the Thai Army. In an interview yesterday after meeting representatives of Burmese relief agencies and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Maj Gen Thaweep denied that the refugees, Maj Gen Thaweep denied that the refugees from Bong Ti Pass in Sai Yok district were pushed back into Burma. He said the 800 refugees "volunteered to return to a safe area in Burma." But Pu Nam Rawn refugees and relief workers said about 3,000 refugees were taken by truck from Bong Ti on Tuesday and Wednesday to Ratchaburi's Suan Phung district and pushed back across the border. As a measure of protection, Thaweep said his Army division would on Monday relocate the refugees from Pu Nam Rawn to a site in Suan Phung where a new camp will be set up. Other Karen refugees in camps in Sangkha Buri district will also be moved to the new camp and the whole relocation process will last about two weeks. Relief workers said they were asked during the meeting with Thaweep to provide assistance to the refugees at the new site. ***************************************************************** THAILAND TIMES: OFFICER ALLEGES KNU YOUTHS PLEADED TO GO BACK February 28, 1997 By Benchamas C KANCHANABURI : The commander of the army's Surasi Task Force claimed yesterday that number of the Karen National Union's (KNU) boy soldiers had tearfully begged to be sent back over the border to continue their fight against the Slorc. "So what could we do? We let them go, " said Maj Gen Taweep Suwanasing, addressing representatives of NGOs in Kanchanaburi province. The commander said 70 young men, aged between 12 and 15 years, had demanded to be returned to the Mergui-Tavoy district in southern Burma, where the Slorc is waging a major offensive against the KNU. He claimed the boys had said they were prepared to die for their cause. However NGOs and student groups immediately countered that the commander was trying to cover up what was in fact a forced repatriation. Moreover, they said, a total of 200 KNU refugees had been driven back by the Surasi Task Force of the army's 9th Division on Tuesday. An official from the Burma Border Consortium, an NGO, put the figure even higher, claiming that some 330 young men had been forced back by Taweep's officers. The obviously outraged official accused Taweep of completely twisting the story. The National Council of the Union of Burma, an umbrella organization for Burmese dissident groups, said that all male asylum seekers had been returned to their homeland and that only women and children had been allowed to remain on Thai soil. Wednesday night saw a further 2,000 refugees. ***************************************************************** THAILAND TIMES: US EMBASSY JOINS HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS TO EXPRESS CONCERN (abridged) February 28, 1997 KANCHANABURI/BANGKOK: The Thai army yesterday virulently denied reports that it had used force to return hundreds of refugees to the war zone in Burma, with the army chief insisting to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs that there was no truth behind the allegations. Meanwhile, as if trying to prove their sincerity, the army's Surasi Task Force called several non-government organizations and related government agencies to an emergency meeting yesterday to provide assistance for the refugees. However their, pleas of innocence fell on deaf ears as far as humanitarian organizations were concerned, with even the US coming out in condemnation of the army. "The act of forcibly returning the refugees runs counter to Thailand's traditional humanitarian policy of providing a safe haven to those fleeing persecution," a US embassy spokesman said. Issuing a direct call to Burma's ruling junta, the US embassy said it should solve its internal problems through dialogue rather than using "brutal force" against its own citizens. Even stronger words were voiced by the London-based human rights group Amnesty International, who said the returnees were at risk of death at the hands of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc), Burma's military junta. Condemnation of the Thai army also came from student groups in Thailand, with both Thai nationals and exiled Burmese questioning the military's action. Plans to launch stiff complaints to Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and other ministers concerned were expressed by the Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma (TACDB). However army Commander in Chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro, speaking yesterday to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs was adamant that the army "had no policy to drive the refugees back to their homeland." Surin Pitsuwan, deputy chairman of the panel, said the military had confirmed that it had not and would not use force to send asylum seekers back across the border when the situation there was still tense. He said the human rights groups may have misinterpreted the army's removal of some of the refugees to another region of Thailand as a move to send them back home. A further 2,500 crossed into Thailand yesterday following the fall of the Karen National Union (KNU)'s Pako stronghold on Wednesday night. The plight of the refugees was top of the agenda at the meeting held yesterday within the compound of the Surasi Task Force, chaired by Task Force Commander Maj Gen Taweep Suwanasing. Also in attendance were representatives form the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Burma Border Consortium (BBC), the TACDB, and a number of government agencies. Taweep told the assembled crowd that there were around 5,000 refugees under the control of his forces in Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi provinces, adding that the number is expected to have doubled by next week. ***************************************************************** BKK POST: BURMESE INTRUDERS KILL CUSTOMS OFFICIAL February 27, 1997 Burmese intruders shot and killed a customs official in Mae Sot district on Tuesday. Khwandchai Uttarokul received multiple wounds after a number of men who had illegally crossed into Thailand fired at him with shot guns before escaping to the Burmese border town of Myawaddy. The shooting took place around 10pm north of the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge where Mr Khwanchai and colleague Kasem Jariwatthanont were patrolling near the MOei River to prevent goods smuggling. Officials suspected the attackers were Burmese who often sneaked across the border at night to steal from Thai villagers. ***************************************************************** BANGKOK POST: THAI-BURMESE PLAN TO OPEN BORDER PASS February 27, 1997 Thai and Burmese authorities yesterday discussed the opening of a border pass to allow cross-border trading and boost tourism. The meeting on trade cooperation was the fourth organised in Mae Sariang district by the local Thai-Burmese Border Committee. The 11-strong Burmese team from Kayah state was led by Col Ye Myint. Col Thawatchai Wattana, commander of the 7th infantry Regiment's special task force, said both sides planned to open a border pass at Ban Nam Phiang Din. ***************************************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: INVITING BAY AREA FRIENDS February 28, 1997 From: NYUNT LWIN Dear Bay Area Residents, You are cordially invited to attend dinner/disscussion session at Kings Bowl in Milbrae, CA.(corner of Milbrae Ave. and El Camino Real) where two of our special guests from ABSDF will be present. A nominal $10.00 fee will include the dinner and a chance to meet with Dr. Naing Aung, Ko Aung Naing Oo and other fellow activists. Your presence and any contributions will be much appreciated since this is intended to help our fellow student friends in need, at the border. The schedule is as follows: March 1, 1997, Saturday 7pm-8pm ----Buffet dinner 8pm-10pm--- Discussion Session If you'd like to know further details please promtly call the following numbers; During the day, (415)755-5566 ask for Lwin or page me at (415)605-3114 or (415)757-0701 at night. Thanks, Nyunt Lwin *****************************************************